Tuesday, November 2, 2010

And I’m not just saying that ‘cause my boss may be reading this. (Although he may be…but that’s totally not the point.)

I can already tell there’s going to be more than enough material to choose from for future blog posts. Oh, the stories to tell…

Like this one:

It’s my second week. I’m still wet behind the ears but that doesn’t stop management from throwing me to the wolves assigning me to handle some new blog content for a very large (read: intimidating) client.

For future reference, “management” is defined as Ric. That’s Rick…minus the “k”. He informed me early on that he’s evidently not a big fan of the “k”. Um. And my name shall now become….. “-athryn?” (MOM! What have you DONE to me? And you always said that drinking would get me into trouble…you never said anything about the “K”.)

So, my boss’ name is Dragon….Ric Dragon. (You have to say it in the “Bond….James Bond” rhythm, or it simply won’t flow.) Yes, that’s really his name. And yes, early on I found myself speculating (out loud) about whether he was really born as “Leslie Federmeister”. He was not. As we New Yorkers are a cynical bunch, I’m verifying this with the authorities. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway. Ric totally runs the show. Of that, there is no doubt. When Ric says, “Jump” we say, “You can’t tell us to do that. That’s employee-exploitation.” But then…ya know, we jump…just in case he decides to call us on it and discovers we’re full of employee-crapola.

I digress. I’m asked to attend this conference call in Ric’s office. Honestly, the rest of the team may have been blind-sided by Ric’s decision to have me in on this, as the meeting had already started when they called me in. I proceeded to jump up, enthusiastically knocking over my chair…and then proceeded to walk away from my computer with my Skype headphones still firmly attached to my head. (Way to invoke confidence, -athryn! That’ll encourage them to keep inviting you!)

I grab my pad and stumble into Ric’s office. I hear a male voice on the speaker phone say, “Is Kathryn there?” and I freeze…(think: deer in headlights) and then I nod vigorously…not realizing that the man can’t actually see me. The three women on the team: Eta, Danielle and Claudia are seasoned professionals. They’re relaxed, confident and prepared. They also told disembodied-voice-man that I was, in fact, present. Danielle starts talking about websites and landing pages and Eta’s chiming in about statistics and analytics and Claudia’s casually breezing through a slew of data off the top of her freakin’ head whilst making what looked to me to be Hello Kitty illustrations in her notebook.

I’m writing notes… “….analytics….statistics…site…wtf?” and trying to look like I’m following this dialogue. I’m seated behind the thorough threesome and just basically trying to keep up. That’s when Ric decides to slip in through the back door and takes a seat directly behind me. Someone had delivered a cellophane-wrapped bouquet of a half a dozen cookies and evidently, Ric decided this was the time to eat one.

Again, all eyes glance at me. I’m trying to look all annoyed and enraged at this obvious lack of decorum but I can feel the laughter’s beginning to bubble up, so I cover my mouth with my hand…like I’ve just realized I may have forgotten to brush my teeth that morning.

***CRINK! CRINK! CRINK!!!***

Evidently, Ric decided to go for the rip-the-band-aid-off-fast method…and I’m rewarded one last time with a quick, annoyed glance from the team…which, of course, causes me to turn around to shoot Ric a withering look of my own.

He gives me this innocent smile and offers me the cookie.

I notice he’s already taken a bite...

I believe the meeting ended right around then.

These are my kinda people...I do believe I’m going to fit in just fine.

Who doesn't like the letter K?? Seriously, it is one of the more awesome letters of the alphabet. I mean if you are going to hold a grudge against a letter I would think the letter O would be the one to dislike. Think about it. How many different ways can you write the letter K? How many ways can you write the letter O? Just one. It does that one purpose.

Glad you are liking the job - that makes the days go so much faster. It also helps when you have a boss who shares his cookies.

Alan W. Davidson: Definitely! I agree....it's a great bunch of people. They're young and hip and uber-smart. And they're always online! It's like finding more of yourself!

Vince: Ha! I've just said this to Alan! It's like you've read my mind...and it's exactly how I feel.

Gigi: Tis so true, sweetie! I hadn't thought of it that way...at least he offered me the cookie. As for not liking the "K", he evidently has a problem with Krispy Kremes as well. I'm guessing we have some deep-rooted issues to uncover. We'll work on this.

Funny post Athryn! You can always tell who the boss is at a meeting...The only one willing to disrupt the meeting with crinkly stuff. I think one of my bosses actually put me in a time out at a meeting once.

Hmmm... if there's a Ric Dragon is there an Earl Black-Knight or a Ted Charming or something? I think if you're going medieval you should go all out. Also, what kind of cookie was it, did you take it and if yes, was it worth all the trouble it caused?

Okay, when did you find this new job? I need to be more on top of reading every one of your posts in order. I want to hear more about this. I'm going to send you an e-mail to get all the dirt. Yeah for you!!!

That's hilarious about his name without the K. I love that. Your job and the people sound awesome. Your boss sounds cool. A good boss can make or break a job. I'm glad things are going well for you there.

Mark Price: Thank you, Mar-! You are right on the money...only the boss can get away with this kind of thing. And why am I not surprised that you'd get a time out? I'd like to say I expect more of you...but I'd be lying! (Breaks into song, "I like you just the way you aaaare.")

Jerry: HA! So, this just reinforces the notion that no-one in my life had better be running from the law, 'cause they'll be exposed! (I made the mistake of reading this comment at work and laughed out loud...followed by a loud *SNORT*! Score another professional moment at work for me!)

Lauren: You guys are too funny. I do believe you're more interested in the cookie than the story. Okay, I did not take the cookie. Ric ate the cookie. There are no cookies left. I'm sure Ric would say the cookie was definitely worth the trouble it caused me.

Jen: Thanks, sweetie! It's only been about five weeks or so. I'm still trying to get used to the hours...and the fact that I'm commuting an hour, instead of the five steps into my office. Epic adjustment!!

Aine: Than- you! (My lame way of omitting the "k" back at'cha.) It's the perfect job for me...and that's what truly matters, right?

Climb2Nowhere: Yes, this is so true. And, unfortunately, you know all about sucky bosses, right? I wish that were less true...

Straight Guy: Thank you, sweet man. Of course, I had to read your comment to da boss...lest he not realize what an absolute gem he's got. You've made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...and I thought only booze could do that.

I am so glad that the job is turning out well! I remember when you were just interviewing for it!

And I have noticed a lot of Kathryn/Ric Dragon tweetage lately. Is this something I should be speculating about? I don't know why I'm asking, I'm totally going to speculate regardless of your answer.=]

Post a Comment

welcome!

I'm glad you stopped by. Now that you're here, I hope you'll breathe and reboot. Cocktails are optional, but highly recommended. Not that you need one to find me utterly charming...but it couldn't hurt.So pour yourself a glass of Cloudy, raise it high and send a toast to all of us. I'll try my best to make you smile. But if I fail, just pour yourself another...it's a win/win.